Discussions

I am seeking advice regarding suggested readings and/or syllabus structure/course schedule. My research primarily focuses on evolving conceptions of southern manhood in the context of the Civil War Era, which inherently involves broader gender conventions and roles of men and women in society. However, this will be my first time teaching a course on such issues, and I'm soliciting suggestions for assigned readings, course structure, etc. Any information or advice would be much appreciated.

Hi, I'm currently looking at potential dissertation topics and am currently exploring the prevalence of witchcraft in the United States during the 19th century. Searching newspapers, I have found over two dozen court cases related to witchcraft in some way--mostly someone is accused of being a witch and is then violently attacked, which generates the court case, rather than someone actually being put on trial for practicing witchcraft. However, I have so far had no luck finding the court documents that substantiate the claims made in newspapers.

For a class I'm teaching next semester, I'm looking for a short book with a broad introduction to the history of the U.S.South. I was hoping for something like the "A Very Short Introduction" series.

The class is U.S. South Family History, and the majority of time will be spent on that specific topic. But, I wanted something that gave a broad overview in order to help ground the deeper discussions and work. In the past I've taught a history of the U.S. South, so I'm aware of longer, semester-length textbooks.

Though it does not match your question perfectly, I am working my way through a memoir now that has some interesting conceptions of the "Southern way of life." It was written by R.S. Tharin, a one time law partner of William L. Yancey, and a self-described "Alabama refugee." According to Tharin, he was run out of Montgomery in 1861 for his support of the Alabama Constitution which outlined a strict loyalty to the union, amongst other things. He found refuge in Cincinnati, Ohio surrounded by Abolitionists one of whom told him he ought to be beaten for his lack of sympathy for that cause.

I am looking for any usage of this phrase that does NOT imply white supremacy (if it exists). I don't mean references to "southern" attributes that derive from white supremacy. In particular, does anyone know of pre-1850 usage of "southern way of life" that was not a prop for slavery or white supremacy? I became aware of it in the 1960s as code for segregation/white supremacy, but I need to know of any prior and DIFFERENT uses. Thanks.

There's solid chapter on Campbell from a denominational-history angle in Richard C. Traylor, Born of Water and Spirit: The Baptist Impulse in Kentucky, 1776–1860 (Knoxville: The University of Tennessee Press, 2015). It's well worth reading for Campbell and the Campbellites in the context of Baptists in South.

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